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TRAIN THEM NOT, BLAME THEM NOT

In this post, I am re-using the Chinese maxim: “If you don’t train them, don’t blame them”. It is very popular in the circle of management and human resource trainers and developers. The wisdom behind the statement is not an exclusive preserve of the Chinese people. It had existed in biblical times in Jewish tradition.
To become a High Priest one must belong first to the Levites and would have served from the lowest cadre to be able to ascend to that envious stage in the service to the Lord.

Moses trained Joshua, Deuteronomy 31: 7-8; Prophet Eli trained Samuel, 1Samuel 31: 1-21; Elijah trained Elisha, II King 2: 1-18 and in the New Testament, Apostle Paul adopted young Timothy as his son-in-the-Lord 1Timothy 1: 18-20. In all these cases, these responsive followers of good leaders made their marks in what they were trained for. Joshua with his absolute relationship with Moses as directed by God led the children of Israel into the promised land and led them in the wars to possess their possession. Samuel learnt to become a spiritual leader of Israel under Prophet Eli. His priesthood was in accordance with their relatedness to the Patriarchs. Elisha as servant to Elijah learnt to be Prophet of God with such an outstanding follower-ship that he got Blessed double portion of his master’s miracles. Conversely, Gehazi had a result oriented-trainer but his true behavior (inability to respond to the tenet of prophet virtue) became evident as he pursued and asked for gratification from Naaman (the Syrian army commander) from whom his master refused to take any gift. II King: 1-27. He was rewarded with Naaman’s leprosy as against positive reward or blessing for serving a great master. Elisha got a positive reward for his dedication and obedience under Elijah’s leadership while Gehazi did not show responsiveness to training and development; contrary wise he attracted the wrath of his master. 2King 5: 20-27.

In all Peter’s relationship with Jesus, he was teachable. His master foresaw devil’s plan to buffet Peter and destroy his destiny and therefore prayed to avert the evil before it struck. Even though, Peter stumbled with thrice denying Jesus, he wept bitterly when he saw Jesus turn his face towards him. By the anointing Jesus’ prayer had conferred on him, he was able to rally the disciples and waited until the day of Pentecost for them to receive the Holy Spirit. His preaching led to 3000 people accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. He also became the Head of the Church. His training was fruitful. Peter’s being teachable elevated him from a mere fisherman of low estate in Jewish tradition, a humble beginning, to the level of standing taller than the Jewish Priesthood and the Sanhedrin. Acts 2 and especially in chapter 10 where he at first felt awkward having to he invited by Cornelius, a Roman centurion. He went in obedience to God, after he went into trance where God instructed him thus ” What God has cleansed, that call not thou common”. Having been trained in obedience, commitment and genuine follower-ship under Jesus Christ, he was able to perform the sacred task as given in Mark 16: 15-18. The training the disciples received enabled them to bear the persecution unleashed on them with the blessed assurance of gaining entry into the kingdom of God .